Two well-known poets made a routine faculty hiring process more creative. Although the Creative Writing program was only looking to replace Stuart Friebert with one candidate, Pamela Alexander and Martha Collins asked the program if they could share the position together. The opportunity presented the program as well as creative writing students with a unique collaboration of talent and intellect. The combined energy, creativity and dedication of both candidates in one position will most likely enhance the classes they teach and the department as a whole.
Because the Creative Writing program is small compared to departments within the College, hiring two people instead of one is especially beneficial. The department has a chance to double its staff. Alexander and Collins both bring new ideas to the creative writing programs, and students will have more opportunities to be exposed to different teaching styles within the Creative Writing program.
The candidates' enthusiasm in sharing a position poses a question to other departments and programs: If candidates are willing to share a position, should departments within the college encourage this prospect during faculty searches? Perhaps for most departments this option isn't feasible. But does this hiring decision show that the College is flexible and willing to try new things? Perhaps faculty searches in the future will yield other innovative results.
The addition of Alexander and Collins in the Creative Writing program will only strengthen the program itself. The small program can open its doors without losing the intimacy and intensity that has made it such a success with students already.
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